How did pregnancy affect your bra size?

Question

I'm four months pregnant and know I need a larger bra, but I'm not sure if I need a larger cup or band size or both. I tried to use a formula I found online to calculate my size -- and it calculated to a 38F and that's just not possible!

Did you need a larger cup or band or both?

Thanks and I apologize for being so naive.

Answer 1

Usually they say that your band size will increase at least one size. In teh 8th or 9th month, you are usually as big around as you will get...however cup size is a different story. Your breasts will typically increase a full cup size after giving birth and your milk coming in (and being engorged...which is bound to happen at least a few times).
Before I was pregnant, I was a 34B...during pregnancy I went up to a 34D. I only breastfed for a short time (due to complications), and during that time my 34D was getting small. Now that my milk has dried up, I am back to the 34D fitting well.

However, keep this in mind....nursing bras are made differently. Your best bet, if you plan on breastfeeding, is to go to a store and try on the bras, and get one that is a bit big in the cups (not super big, but not too tight either) to use for after birth. Usually the nursing bras are made with a bit 'extra' in the cup size to accomidate milk comign in adn everthing. I know that in a reg bra I was a 34D, like I said, but in nursing bras I was a 34C....and the 34D was REALLY overly big in the cup...but once my milk came in, they fit better. So I think they take that into consideration when sizing them.

Go to a store that has nursng bras and try one on.

If you are plannign on using formula, and not breastfeeding, you can still wear regular bras, and I woudl just get the size that fits you currently...if your breasts get bigger, you will hae to go buy a new bra then as well, but at leats you will hve one that fits you right now. If you buy one that will 'fit you later down the road', it will be a shot in the dark...some people get HUGE breasts later in pregnancy, and some never change at all.

Answer 2

I just gave birth to my 3rd and my bra size went up again with this one, even higher than the last two. I also didn't get most of the growth in my breasts until I was in my last trimester. I have found that the bra size tends to go up considerably and then only drop back down slightly after I stop breastfeeding.

At four months, my suggestion would be to get a bra that fits you with some give in the cup and the band on the smallest setting. That way, your breasts will have some room to grow into and you can make the band larger as you go along.

Answer 3

I went from a DD to an F cup size and I stayed the same band size....Depending on how far along you are you should get measured for a new bra let the experts tell you...Fredricks of Hollywood makes larger bras than Victoria Secret ( I don't think they are very comfy personally) or try a department store, if you are really a 38 F after you get measured you could try Lane Bryant they have nice comfy bras in larger cup and band sizes... Good Luck..Oh and it is possible, most people wear the wrong bra sizes to begin with..Oprah did a great bra episode people who were wearing like b and c cups should really have been wearing d cups..it was a good one..

Answer 4

Hey Jaz - Not a naive question at all. You'll probably need both a larger cup and band size. (Bummer, I know) If you are near a Macy's, they can help to fit you for the right size. At four months, you may be able to get by with buying one of those bra extenders (hooks onto your current bra to make it bigger around).

As far as "not possible"...I got so large that I had to special order my bras on-line.

Answer 5

pregnancy didn't affect my bra size at all.

I wore vest tops in the end as no bra I tried was comfortable around my bump.

best thing - get a professional fitting.

they are the best people to advise you then and there on what they see.

(by the way, 'they' think the vast majority of us are wearing the wrong fitting bra and so you might be surprised by what is possible. I was always wearing a 36C until I had a professional fitting that found I was a 38DD and the bras I wore to that measurement were the most comfortable I had ever worn!)

Answer 6

I'm currently 5 months and started my pregnancy in a 42d. Those bras still fit, but I just let the straps out a little bit. If your breasts really grew or your bras don't fit anymore, go to JCPenney's and get fitted. The ladies there are great and very helpful. Just remember, they're full of milk and will shrink some when the baby is born if u breastfeed, but if u bottle feed and don't attempt to bf, the DR will have you take Pitocin to dry the milk up and you'll still have an ample bosom. :))

Answer 7

Everyone is different. I'm naturally a 36DD. I have one bra that is a DDD and one that is an F. They both are 38's. You can also buy bra extenders to make the band bigger if you think yours is getting snug. Save some $$.

I found the best bras at Layne Bryant.

Answer 8

Go get a professional fitting. You can even do it at Victoria's secret or at macys, penny's, etc. I went from a 36C to a 36DD with my first. 34B to a 36D with my second. and 34B to a 36D with my third. Oh I am now a 34A so go figure.
There is no way of knowing. You will get larger. It could be only in the band or cup or both.

Answer 9

Before or when I was not pregnant or breasatfeding I was 32D, during pregnancy I was 36DD, then while breastfeeding 32DDD+, now back down to 32DD-I gained 40 pounds each pregnancy then lost it within 2 months each time. You should need to increase both your band and cup size while pregnant. Depends on how much you gain of course though, so don't buy ahead until you need to.

Answer 10

go to any major dept store and get a bra fiting done in person, thats the only way to get an accurate size. My band size increased with baby #1, but my cup size went up wiht baby #2.